Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Ryan Shorten was born in the early 1970's and grew up in Southern Ontario Canada. From a young age he was introduced to the world of Fantasy Fiction by the likes of Tolkien, Pratchett, Brooks, and Salvatore.

His love of reading turned into a passion for writing shortly after finishing his post secondary education at Ryerson University in Toronto. While studying Media Arts at Ryerson, his visual imagination was further developed through the use of film, video and digital imaging.

His recently published first full length novel 'The Circle of Tivedon' is Book One of a planned trilogy.

Connect with Ryan

If you could live in any book “world” which book would it be?

I would definitely live in almost any world created by Terry Brooks.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

The jury may still be out on whether or not I’ve grown up, but for a long time I wanted to be on the ‘big’ screen. Acting, writing and directing come to mind. BTW, I still do.

What was your favorite book as a child/teen?

I really liked the ‘Otherland’ series by Tad Williams. I read it in my late teens and it had quite an impact (on me) on just how well-crafted the entire idea was written into a story.

You are stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you want?

In this day and age — a tablet (ipad or whatever), a wi-fi signal, and an eco-powered battery. If that’s not available….a few thousands sheets of paper, a box of pencils (sharpened) with erasers, and a thesaurus.

If you had a time machine where would you go back in time or ahead? And who would you like to visit?

I’d go full throttle ahead. Not sure who I would visit, but I may be interested in seeing how the rest of my life turned out.

Any advice for writer’s just starting out?

Write because you enjoy it, not because you want to become rich or famous through it. And after you think the draft is good enough…write it again.

Any pet peeves?

With life, yes. Too many to mention. With writing, no. It’s my creative release and even when it’s hard and discouraging (usually during editing), I truly enjoy every minute spent.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

I’m the only author to offer a money back guarantee (seriously).

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

My first review of the book I received that wasn’t from family or friends. Hard to describe it, but if you have had it, you’ll know.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

‘The Circle of Tivedon’ is Book One of a planned trilogy. I’d like to have Book Two out by the end of 2013.

The Circle of Tivedon
by Ryan Shorten
Paperback, first, 254 pages
Published October 3rd 2012 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

BOOK DESCRIPTION (GOODREADS)

Publication Date: October 3, 2012
Attending Tivedon should have been the most exciting time in Jayl’s young life. Along with his sister Myah, they journey to Tivedon and are quickly caught up in the excitement and eccentricities of the school and its teaching elders known collectively as ‘The Circle of Tivedon’. Enemies and alliances are swiftly established between the other students that come from across the realm of Tiertyn. Yet, as they begin the next level of their scholastic study in the finer points of diplomacy and governance, grim tidings reach the castle walls.

An ancient evil is on the rise threatening to plunge the land into darkness once again. Tensions begin to rise within the walls of Tivedon as unexplainable, dreadful events occur forcing the ‘Circle of Tivedon’ to act. The situation worsens as accusations of a traitorous plot involving friends of Jayl and Myah’s from back home and a fellow student’s sovereign land arrive at Tivedon. This development ensnares Myah in a conspiratorial and secretive undertaking at the behest of ‘The Circle of Tivedon’. Jayl, who discovers a temperamental magical source within himself, becomes the unwitting focal point of Tivedon’s elders’ plans to defend Tiertyn against the army of the resurrected evil Lord Rimyaroth.

Unfortunately, before plans are complete, the suspicious death of one of Tivedon’s elders followed by the murder of the befriended Captain of the Guard lands an unjustly accused Jayl into Tivedon’s cells. It is here that Jayl learns of a long ago hidden talisman which will aid in their fight, which he must find and return. A hasty and harrowing escape from the school, which has fallen under the sway of the enemy, follows under the cover of darkness. With foes now swelling on all fronts, the elders must split the students into three groups to have any hope of stemming the tide that threatens them. Myah, along with one of the two remaining Tivedon elders, make their way to the city of Sieli. Their hope is to vindicate her captured and accused friends as well as turn the favour of an opportunistic King to their cause. The second group, led by the other Tivedon elder, races to join defenders that are hastily forming the first line of defence against the massing army of Lord Rimyaroth.

Lastly, and much to Jayl’s chagrin, he is paired with two menacing and determined school rivals on his quest to find the talisman. A perilous mission, it remains the last vestige of hope to battle against the dark magic of Lord Rimyaroth. With the unlikely heroes and heroines heading in separate directions, three diverse journeys begin.